First residents moving into new phase of Northern Pines

The second phase of Northern Pines, the transitional housing complex located on Chippewa Street West, will host its first six residents this week.

Intended as the final step in the transitional housing process, the $2.5-million Northern Pines Phase 2 offers minimal supports as people move toward independent living. This phase offers a total of 20 spaces; the 14 remaining units will be filled over the coming weeks.

There are three distinct, secure living quarters within Northern Pines, designed to accommodate a total of 60 people according to the level of support and care required.  People can progress from high to low supports, and then through the community housing continuum. More information on Northern Pines can be found on the DNSSAB website.

Phase 1 of Northern Pines was built for $1.2 million, has 16 units total and is fully occupied. This phase opened in 2021, offering moderate supports. There are eight units per wing on two separate floors of the former police headquarters. Each room is outfitted similar to a college dorm room, with a private bathroom, digital safe, and HEPA air filtration unit. Occupants have access to a shared kitchen and common lounge area.

See related: Northern Pines transitional housing project to fully branch out this summer

Phase 3, which will come first in the continuum of care, offers the highest level of supports, stabilizes individuals who have been experiencing chronic homelessness, and provides health, housing and life skills supports. The 24 units of Phase 3 are expected to be opened in 2024. In 2022, the cost to build this phase was estimated to be $2.8 million.

Northern Pines is unique in that it brings together the expertise of the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB), Crisis Centre North Bay (CCNB) and North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC), with wrap-around services on-site to help break the chronic homelessness cycle.  Northern Pines is at the provincial leading edge, integrating Health Quality Standards, based on established scientific methods and best available evidence, with supportive housing best practices and offers well-defined pathways to care, including on-site treatment for mental health and addictions. 

See also: New Northern Pines model to address 'root cause' of homelessness

“It is very exciting to see such a big project move towards completion, with more and more of the District’s most vulnerable people moving out of homelessness into a place that is safe and meets their health and social service needs, where and when they are needed,” says Mark King, DNSSAB Chairperson.

People can enter Northern Pines at whichever phase is best suited to their needs. As they move through the different levels of support, vacancies are filled. 

"We are pleased to be opening these units before the winter sets in. Offering housing with individualized onsite supports allows residents to work towards overcoming trauma and becoming stable in their housing. We have already seen so many successes in Phase 1, we are excited to see what more opportunities will present themselves for the residents of Northern Pines with this new phase opening", says Sue Rinneard, executive director of Crisis Centre North Bay, and operator of Northern Pines.

In 2022, as Phase 1 of Northern Pines opened, DNSSAB welcomed $1.3M in supportive housing funding from Ontario. Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli said that day's funding announcement was "in addition to the over $12 million Social Service Relief Funding that DNSSAB has received from the Ontario government since April 2020. This funding has helped keep vulnerable people housed and create long-term housing solutions.”

People experiencing chronic homelessness can apply to Northern Pines by calling 705-474-2151 ext. 45589 or emailing [email protected].